Question Period: Rights of Indigenous Peoples – May 20, 2016

M. Coon : Nous avons du pain sur la planche à la Chambre. So much work, so little time. For example, on May 10, the federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, removed Canada’s objector status to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, stating that we are now full supporters of the declaration, without qualification. Chief Ron Tremblay, representing the Wolastoq Grand Council, sat with her and the Minister of Justice at the UN, in New York, on that historic day. My question is for the Premier. How will Canada’s endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples change the relationship between First Nations in New Brunswick and his office and the Executive Council?

Mr. Coon: I hope that the Premier noticed the other day that the provincial government of British Columbia was ordered to pay the court fees on behalf of two First Nations of that province after failing to meet its legal obligations to consult, in that case on the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. Now, the Mi’kmaq of New Brunswick are taking the New Brunswick government to court over its failure to consult on forest policy changes and the impact of long-term contracts signed with the industry, which granted substantial increases in cutting volumes at the expense of wildlife. If the courts grant that injunction being sought by the Mi’kmaq, what is the Premier’s Plan B for timber allocation and the management of our Crown lands?

Mr. Coon: This is exactly the problem. The Premier is referring to First Nations as stakeholders. The First Nations are rights holders in this province, and the First Nations are rights holders in this country, as guaranteed by the Constitution of our country. This is the question. The relationship between New Brunswick and the Passamaquoddy, Wolastoqiyik, and Mi’kmaq First Nations obviously needs considerable work. How does the Premier intend to build a functional relationship with the First Nations of New Brunswick? His own commission on hydro fracking pointed out that there was essentially no working relationship with First Nations in this province—a relationship that reflects our treaty relationship, incorporates the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and respects the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Hon. Mr. Gallant: I can tell you that the member is right that we have to work very hard to build a relationship with First Nations in this province because of the work of the last government. There is no doubt that a lot of work has to be done to build a strong relationship, and I can tell you that our government is focused on doing that because we recognize that, by working together with all New Brunswickers and our First Nations communities, we are going to be able to advance our province. I can tell you that I have met with the First Nations. We have called them. We have had many events in First Nations communities as well as a caucus. We have had many meetings. I can tell you that the Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs has met and spoken with the chiefs several times. Let’s do a show of hands of all the people here who have met with First Nations on several files. We are working very hard . . . There are two on the other side. We are working very hard to build the relationship because we know that it is important to work together to grow the economy. We proved how we can do that just yesterday by creating 145 jobs for First Nations in New Brunswick.